Newsbreak

SABC News and Current Affairs — by Newsbreak Producer, Taresh Harreeparshad - But Sam Pillay from the Anti Drug Forum says that he can confirm that a foreign national was arrested and released on bail following reports that three Durban men had used flakka. Pillay says the incident took place in Pinetown - when the men where offered a drink containing the substance. He adds that he has since been...

SABC News and Current Affairs — by Newsbreak Producer, Taliesha Naidoo - The awful testimonies of Rohingya children who fled atrocities in Myanmar earlier in the year have been detailed in a new report. The report, titled - "Horrors I Will never Forget" - was launched by the international aid group - Save the Children. The report highlights the plight of the Rohingya people which has quickly becom...

SABC News and Current Affairs — by Newsbreak Producer, Taliesha Naidoo - Durban-based author - Sylvia Garib says Indian origin women have made massive strides from indenture in 1860 to now. Speaking against the backdrop of the country commemorating 157 years since the arrival of indentured Indians to South Africa, Garib says Indian origin women faced many struggles to be recognised as equals in so...

SABC News and Current Affairs — by Newsbreak Producer, Rachel Vadi - Investigating unit The Hawks says they're unaware of any arrests or confiscations - following reports that the drug flakka had infiltrated South Africa. Local communities have been on alert following footage showing people suspected of using flakka displaying erratic physical behaviour. The characteristic of flakka is that users...

SABC News and Current Affairs — by Newsbreak Producer, Matthew Veeran - Police investigations are underway after EIGHT armed robbers allegedly ransacked the home of the Consul-General of India, Durban - Dr Shashank Vikram. At 4pm yesterday, the doors of the Indian diplomat's Berea residence were allegedly broken down as criminals invaded the home in broad daylight. The armed men then went on to si...

SABC News and Current Affairs — Delegations of prominent business people, government officials and policy makers from 12 countries are meeting at the 4th World Tamils Economic Conference in Durban to explore business opportunities in the various countries. It is the first time that such a meeting of the Indian diaspora is held in Africa. Delegates have heard that South Africa is increasing it's ra...

SABC News and Current Affairs — by Newsbreak Producer, Taliesha Naidoo - A love for yoga has led Durban author - Suvendrie Moodley to write a spiritual novel. The book, titled "Friend of the Heart" tells a story of a South African woman of Indian origin who embarks on a spiritual journey with her guru - Sri Sathya Sai Baba. The book will be launched on Saturday at Hashtag Books in Reservoir Hills,...

SABC News and Current Affairs — by Newsbreak Producer, Rachel Vadi - Two suspects appeared at the Verulam Magistrate Court yesterday, following the alleged murder of a 64 year old man in Phoenix, north of Durban. It is believed that Joshua Pillay was stabbed by the suspects in an alleged botched house robbery on Sunday. Two days later, an 18-year-old suspects were arrested. Police spokesperson, Co...

SABC News and Current Affairs — KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo says he will not be drawn into details of the suspension of health department head, Dr Sifiso Mtshali. Mtshali was suspended this week for his alleged role in the current oncology crisis at public health care facilities in the province. However the South African Medical Association has accused the MEC of shifting b...

SABC News and Current Affairs — by Newsbreak Producer, Taliesha Naidoo - A benefit concert to raise funds in order to feed 6700 children per day in Durban will be held at the weekend. The concert will feature the versatile artist from South Africa now based in India - Shashika Mooruth, who recently collaborated with Sonu Nigam. The concert is presented by the Lightworkers Foundation in conjunction...

SABC News and Current Affairs — by Newsbreak Producer, Taliesha Naidoo - The 4th World Tamil Economic Conference kicked off in Durban on Thursday. Many local and international digniataries were on the speakers line-up. Karate South Africa president Sonny Pillay says the conference is a breath of fresh air for the province. Pillay, who is a speaker at the conference, explains his involvement

SABC News and Current Affairs — by Newsbreak Producer, Taresh Harreeparshad - There is strong indication that Movement For Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai might be involved in a transitional government in Zimbabwe- following the military takeover. Tsvangirai- who had been receiving cancer treatment outside of Zimbabwe returned to Harare yesterday. This follows the military takeover- tha...

SABC News and Current Affairs — by Newsbreak Producer, Taliesha Naidoo - The South African Weather Service has issued warning that heavy rains will continue in KwaZulu-Natal today. Blankets of snow has been reported in some parts of the Drakensburg. Weather forecaster - Aslam Sardiwala says strong winds are expected as the downpours continue sending temperatures to single digits in some areas. Sar...

SABC News and Current Affairs — by Newsbreak Producer, Hoosen Ebrahim - Durban-born student - Kumeran Govender has just been awarded a prestigious scholarship to study at Oxford University in England. The 24-year-old final year medical student at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) will now pursue a PhD degree in the interdisciplinary field of artificial intelligence in England. Oxford Universi...

SABC News and Current Affairs — by Newsbreak Producer, Rachel Vadi - Frustrated residents living near the Phoenix Waste Water Works plant, north of Durban have now pinned their hopes of living a dignified life on the Human Rights Council (HRC). They say that they have been living under an aweful stench in the air since the development of the plant in 2002. Spearheading the campaign, is Andisha Mah...

SABC News and Current Affairs — by Newsbreak Executive Producer, Salma Patel - Overseas Dignitaries and Government officials braved the unseasonal Durban cold and rain to attend the 4th World Tamil Economic Conference currently underway in Durban. The conference seeks to improve networking and business opportunities with the Tamil Nadu Government and the Tamil Diaspora. This morning Zulu King Good...

SABC News and Current Affairs — by Newsbreak Producer, Rachel Vadi - A Durban man was found dead on the R102 in Verulam, allegedly after being struck by lightening. According to Prem Balram of private security company, Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), a passing motorist witnessed the incident and called for help. Balram says this is the third lightening-related incident reported in Verulam yeste...

SABC News and Current Affairs — An extreme Hindu group wants a nationwide shutdown on December 1st to protest the release of a film on that day. The threat reflects India's slide into anarchy with mobs allowed to script a dark narrative with some support from the ruling classes. Rana Senn reports...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer, Taliesha Naidoo - The Indian-origin community is being urged to trace their indenture roots, as South Africa commemorates 157 years since the arrival of Indentured Indians to the country. On this day in 1860, the SS Truro along with 342 Indian immigrants departed from Madras and arrived at what was then known as Natal. To highlight this milest...

SABC News and Current Affairs — by Newsbreak Producer, Hafsa Mkhize - Newsbreak tracked down a Zimbabwean journalist who is in the capital Harare amid reports that the military has taken over government there. The journalist - who spoke on condition of anonymity says civilians in Zimbabwe are calm despite the political volatility........

SABC News and Current Affairs — by Newsbreak Executive Producer, Salma Patel - The 4th World Tamil Economic Conference is set to take place tomorrow. The day is especially significant to people of Indian origin as the country marks 157 years since the arrival of Indian Indentured Labourers to the country. The conference will focus on economic development and business through global networking. Wit...

SABC News and Current Affairs — by Newsbreak Producer, Taliesha Naidoo - Police in KwaZulu-Natal say they are committed to ridding the streets of drug dealers. This after police arrested three men in possession of drugs during a raid at Phoenix, north of Durban on Monday. The men, who were believed to have been manufacturing the drugs in their homes, were found in possession of mandrax, heroin and...

SABC News and Current Affairs — by Newsbreak Producer, Rachel Vadi - A 14 year old Durban girl has taken first place in a Mars Rover robot building competition. Grade nine learner, Saiestha Govender of Glenhills in Durban was selected as the overall winner out of 600 students. The task was part of the - Intro to Mechatronics - course, powered by GE Africa and is designed to educate students in ele...

SABC News and Current Affairs — by Newsbreak Producer, Rachel Vadi - Passionate about recording history through music, popular local artist, Rajdev "Kinx" Nundkumar had penned an original song as a dedication to the 1860 Indian Indentured Labourers who settled in South Africa. "Kinx" who is known internationally for his popular tunes such as "Beans and Puri" and "Dont Dalla with the Masala", says...

SABC News and Current Affairs — by Newsbreak Executive Producer, Salma Patel - A special Universal Friendship Kingdom Award will be presented to Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini at the start of the 4th World Tamil Economic Conference which kicks off in Durban on Thursday. The Zulu monarch is being recognised for promoting social cohesion and racial harmony - noted for hosting the first Diwali festiva...